In the game of cricket, wicketkeeper is one of the crucial and very demanding jobs. It is a very taxing yet a thankless job. For example, at the end of the day, the gloveperson is expected to concentrate or the catch might be dropped. They’re the team’s last line of defence—always alert, ready to shift momentum with a quick stumping or a brilliant catch. In this listicle, let’s have a look at the 15 best wicketkeepers across eras.
Top 15 Wicket Keepers in terms of dismissals
1. Mark Boucher (998 Dismissals)
The former South Africa wicketkeeper and head coach record-breaking 998 dismissals, is widely regarded as one of the finest wicketkeepers in cricket. His exceptional reflexes and ability to remain calm under pressure made him a game-changer for the Proteas. Boucher has 952 catches and 46 stumpings in 467 matches across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, which are the three formats of the game.
2. Adam Gilchrist (905 Dismissals)
The three-time World Cup winner for Australia revolutionized the role of wicketkeeper-batsman, combining explosive batting with reliable keeping skills. In 396 matches across formats, he recorded 905 dismissals, showcasing incredible athleticism and commitment. His powerful batting, often opening the innings in ODIs, added an extra dimension to Australia’s success. Gilchrist took 813 catches and executed 92 stumpings.
3. MS Dhoni (829 Dismissals)
MS Dhoni, India’s celebrated captain and wicketkeeper, recorded 828 dismissals in his 538-match career. Known for his lightning-fast stumpings and calm demeanor under pressure, Dhoni became a master behind the stumps. His unique keeping style and quick reflexes made him a nightmare for batsmen facing spinners. The former India captain has taken 634 catches and executed 195 stumpings.
4. Kumar Sangakkara (678 Dismissals)
The T20 World Cup 2014 winner has 78 dismissals, was a class act both with the bat and behind the stumps. Known for his sharp reflexes and elegant style, Sangakkara kept the stumps for Sri Lanka in 539 matches. As a top-order batsman, he brought both stability and experience to the team.The left-hander took 539 catches and 139 stumpings.
5. Ian Healy (628 Dismissals)
The former Australia cricketer is one of the last cricketers to play the game as a wicketkeeper who can bat. He was replaced by Gilchrist in the late 90s. Meanwhile, he was Australia’s dependable wicketkeeper in the 1990s, finishing his career with 628 dismissals in 287 matches. Known for his sharp glovework, Healy played a significant role in supporting Australia’s fast bowlers with quick and reliable catching. His excellent footwork against spin added to his versatility. He took 560 catches and executed 68 stumpings.
6. Quinton de Kock (560 Dismissal)
The South Africa wicketkeeper, who replaced Boucher after the latter’s retirement in 2012, is not only a good wicketkeeper but also a good batter. With 560 dismissals in 301 matches to date, he is known for his natural wicketkeeping talent and aggressive batting, de Kock has proven himself as a match-winner. He has taken 514 catches and executed 46 stumpings.
7. Rodney Marsh (479 dismissals)
The legendary wicketkeeper batter from Australia recorded 479 dismissals in 188 matches. Known for his excellent glovework and strong partnership with Dennis Lillee, Marsh became one of the most respected keepers in the game. His sharp reflexes and ability to handle fast bowlers made him a cornerstone of Australia’s cricket legacy in the 1970s and early 1980s. Marsh’s dedication to the game and his achievements have cemented his status as a wicket keeping icon. He took 463 catches and has 16 stumpings to his name.
8. Jos Buttler (475 Dismissals)
The former England white-ball captain is one of the few active players in this list. He is known for his explosive batting and has also proven to be a dependable wicketkeeper. His capacity to change the game in a matter of overs makes him thrilling to watch. With his skill set and leadership, Buttler is likely to remain a key figure in international cricket for years to come. The T20 World Cup 2022 winning captain with 475 dismissals in 384 matches, has established himself as a key wicketkeeper for England. Known for his sharp reflexes and strong hands, Buttler excels behind the stumps and is reliable against both pace and spin.
9. Brad Haddin (474 dismissals)
Brad Haddin was a dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman for Australia, amassing 474 dismissals in 226 matches. Known for his fighting spirit, he was both agile and reliable behind the stumps. Haddin’s energy on the field and his ability to step up in high-pressure situations made him a crucial player. His aggressive batting style often turned games around, and he played an important role in Australia’s success during his time as a wicketkeeper. The two-time World Cup winner took 449 catches and executed 25 stumpings.
10. Jeff Dujon (474 Dismissals)
Jeff Dujon was an essential part of the West Indies’ dominant team in the 1980s, recording 474 dismissals in 250 matches. Known for his graceful keeping style and excellent footwork, Dujon supported the formidable West Indies bowling attack with reliability. Despite having kept only to fast bowlers during his career, he has 26 stumpings, apart from 448 catches.
11. Mushfiqur Rahim (472 Dismissals)
The former Bangladesh captain is only the second player in this list to be included while being an active player. He is currently in action against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Test match. Rahim has been a consistent presence behind the stumps since his debut in 2005. Known for his sharp glove work and gritty batting, he played a key role in Bangladesh’s rise in international cricket. He has taken 371 catches and executed 101 stumpings.
12. Denesh Ramdin (468 Dismissals)
Denesh Ramdin served as a key wicketkeeper for the West Indies between 2005 and 2019. He featured in 284 international matches and made 468 dismissals behind the stumps, the most by any West Indian keeper. He has taken 429 catches and executed 39 stumpings.
13. Kamran Akmal (453 Dismissals)
The former Pakistan wicketkeeper batter was known for his poor catching skills for most part of his career. After his initial years of replacing the legendary Moin Khan, Akmal couldn’t replicate the success he had with the gloves which he had in the first few years. However, he did manage to play 268 internationals and have 368 catches and 85 stumpings to his name.
14. Brendon McCullum (453 Dismissals)
The former New Zealand captain and now England head coach has played 432 games before retiring in 2016. He has taken 419 catches and executed 34 stumpings. Under his leadership, the Blackcaps qualified for the final of the Cricket World Cup in 2015, losing to neighbours, Australia.
15. Moin Khan (434 Dismissals)
The Cricket World Cup 1992 winner was the predecessor to Akmal and had to compete with Rashid Latif as both Khan and Latif couldn’t make it to the playing XI together. Meanwhile, Khan played 288 games, took 341 catches and executed 93 stumpings.
